Mineral resource imports were valued at $12,123m in 1999-2000, an increase of $3,157m (35%) on 1998-1999. The main contributors to the rise in imports in 1999-2000 were: crude oil, up $2,545m (67%) to $6,339m; and refinery petroleum products, up $508m (59%) to $1,376m. Smaller increases were also recorded for diamonds, gold, iron ore and steel.

In 1999-2000 Australian imports of crude oil and other refinery feedstock decreased by 9% to 27,014 ML and imports of petroleum products increased by 14%. Major petroleum products recording significant increases were fuel oil by 34% to 798 ML, automotive gasoline by 20% to 1,065 ML and aviation turbine fuel by 22% to 171 ML, while diesel fuel decreased by 3% to 1,400 ML.

The major sources for Australian imports of crude oil and other refinery feedstocks were Viet Nam (6,034 ML), Saudi Arabia (541 ML), Indonesia (301 ML), and Papua New Guines (292 ML). The major sources of automotive gasoline imports were Singapore (93 ML) and Saudi Arabia (18 ML). The majority of diesel fuel imports originated in Singapore (85 ML).